The Blue Butterfly Coat, the Hospital Bracelet, and the Price of Dignity

But to her, it looked beautiful.

I was standing in a thrift store outside Dayton with a plastic basket on my arm, tiny snow boots for my youngest in one hand, and exactly forty-three dollars in my wallet.

Forty-three dollars to stretch across four more days.

Forty-three dollars after rent.

After gas.

After the copay at urgent care.